Diagnosing an Abnormal Dog Stool

Every dog occasionally has abnormal dog stool, such as constipation or diarrhea. However, there are times when abnormal stool is a cause for concern.

Diarrhea

Most veterinarians define diarrhea as stool that is softer than it
should be. This can occur for a variety of reasons, most commonly from
dogs consuming something that disagrees with them. This can be their
own food, garbage or something found on a walk. Mild illnesses and food
allergies can also cause diarrhea.

Diarrhea may have a strange color, shape or odor, and it may be
watery or simply soft. All of this is normal if it doesn't persist for
more than a couple of days. If it does, consult your veterinarian. If
your dog has a fever or is dehydrated, he should also visit a
veterinarian.

To help your dog firm his stools, feed a bland diet for a few days
that consists of boiled, skinned poultry and rice, about half of each.
Add a spoonful of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix), and a spoonful
of cottage cheese.

Constipation

Though not necessarily an abnormal stool, if your dog has trouble
relieving himself, this can also be a problem. If he strains or goes
through the motions while only passing gas, this is considered abnormal.

Again, this could be caused by a mild illness or consumption of an
inappropriate item. A veterinarian may prescribe you with medication to
loosen his stool, or you can give your dog fiber, such as canned
pumpkin or cooked oatmeal. If it persists for more than a couple of
days, talk with your vet.

Parasites

If normal stool or diarrhea is accompanied by a host of unusual
items, your dog may have parasites. Parasites in the stool may look
like actual live worms or they may just look a little strange, like
grains of rice. You will usually notice several, not just one.

Tapeworms look like small grains of rice, because they are chopped
into small segments once digested. Whipworms look like long pieces of
string with a longer end. Other types of worms are only excreted in egg
form and may be difficult to detect. However, they can cause diarrhea
or bloody stool.

Other Abnormal Stool

Some dogs excrete stool that appears to be covered in mucous or
blood. If it only happens once or twice, it's nothing to worry about.
However, if your dog has these problems consistently, it can be
indicative of a much larger problem.

Blood in the stool was once thought to be quite serious, but now,
small amounts may appear if a dog ingests something that disagrees with
him. If the stool has a little red blood, that's from the rectum and
may just indicate straining. However, dark, black stool that looks
tarry indicates internal bleeding, so consult a veterinarian
immediately.

Many illnesses can cause abnormal stool, such as giardia,
inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, liver disease,
thyroid disease, kidney disease and different types of tumors. If
abnormal dog stool persists, consult a veterinarian. If not, a bland
diet will usually clear up the problem.